Which literary critic later expanded Anandavardhana’s Dhwani Theory?
ABhamaha
BDandin
CAbhinavagupta
DVishwanatha
Answer:
C. Abhinavagupta
Read Explanation:
Abhinavagupta’s Contribution to Dhwani Theory
Abhinavagupta (10th–11th century CE) was a Kashmiri philosopher, aesthetician, and literary critic who expanded upon Anandavardhana’s Dhwani Theory.
In his commentary "Locana" on Dhvanyaloka, he further developed the connection between Dhwani (suggestion) and Rasa (emotional experience).
He argued that Rasa (aesthetic emotion) is the ultimate goal of poetry, and Dhwani is the primary method to achieve it.
His work solidified the Rasa-Dhwani relationship, making it a key principle in Indian poetics and drama.
Thus, Abhinavagupta played a crucial role in refining and deepening Anandavardhana’s ideas, making them central to classical Sanskrit aesthetics.